LEESBURG, Virginia – June 9, 2016. Timothy Metrus Ward, 32, appeared before Judge Jeanette A. Irby in Loudoun County Circuit Court for sentencing on two counts of indecent liberties with a child by custodian, one count of use of communication systems to facilitate certain offenses with children, and one count of use of communication systems to facilitate certain offenses with children, second offense. Irby imposed a total active sentence of three years in the Virginia Department of Corrections.

Ward volunteered as a paramedic with the Sterling and Hamilton Volunteer Rescue Squads. As a paramedic, Ward was a supervisor and mentor for all the non-medically-certified volunteers working in the stations, including minor volunteers.

Beginning in February 2015, Ward began engaging in a sexual relationship and sent sexually explicit text messages to a fifteen year old Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad volunteer.

Later in 2015, Ward was working as a lieutenant at the Hamilton Volunteer Rescue Squad. Ward sent multiple text messages to a seventeen year old volunteer, proposing sexual acts with her.

Ward pleaded guilty to the offenses on November 9, 2015.

Ward testified at his own sentencing hearing, saying “I did something that I shouldn’t have done” and “I took advantage of my position.” Ward went on to say “I was fully aware of the victims’ ages.”

Before imposing a sentence Irby reflected on how rescue squads and firehouses are considered “safe havens.” Irby addressed Ward directly, telling him that “when it really counted, when you really had the opportunity to protect those that were vulnerable, you only thought of yourself.”

Irby imposed an additional fourteen years of suspended time. Upon his release, Ward will be placed on one year of supervised probation, followed by nine years of unsupervised probation.

Pursuant to Virginia’s Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Act, Ward will also be required to register as a sex offender. Information about the Virginia’s Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry and those on it can be found on the Virginia State Police website: http://sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov.